President-elect Donald Trump is accelerating appointments for his second-term administration, set to launch in January next year. Starting with the first nomination of Suzy Wiles, the 'loyal kingmaker' who led the presidential campaign behind the scenes, as White House Chief of Staff, the appointments for the foreign and security lines, including Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense, have been virtually finalized. The selected individuals reflect key themes such as loyalty, anti-immigration, hardline hawks against China, America First ideology, wealth, and being from Florida. Below is an update on the major official appointments announced as of 8 a.m. Korean time on the 14th.
Suzy Wiles, White House Chief of Staff
On the 7th (local time), President-elect Trump officially began appointments for his second-term administration by appointing Wiles, co-chair of the campaign, as White House Chief of Staff. She is the first female White House Chief of Staff in U.S. history. Trump introduced her by saying, "Wiles helped achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history and played a key role in the 2016 and 2020 campaigns," adding, "She is strong, smart, innovative, and respected by everyone." Wiles, considered one of the top contributors to Trump's election victory, is a long-time close aide who enjoys Trump's deep trust. A veteran political consultant with over 40 years of experience, she entered politics in 1979 as a congressional aide and worked on Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign.
Tom Homan, Border Czar
Tom Homan, who served as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the first Trump administration, has been appointed as the 'Border Czar.' By announcing the 'Border Czar' appointment ahead of other cabinet positions, President-elect Trump emphasized the importance of immigration policy. This was the second high-level appointment after Wiles' nomination as White House Chief of Staff. In a statement on the 11th (local time), Trump said, "I am pleased to announce that Tom Homan, a strong supporter of border control, will join the administration as the official overseeing our borders (Border Czar). There is no one better suited to control and monitor the border." He also explained, "Homan will oversee the deportation of all illegal immigrants to their countries of origin." Homan has previously expressed hardline stances on immigration, refugees, and illegal residency issues.
Elise Stefanik, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
Elise Stefanik, appointed as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, was also mentioned as a potential running mate (vice-presidential candidate) for President-elect Trump ahead of this year's election. Initially classified as a moderate when she entered politics in 2014 as the youngest congresswoman, she later shifted to a pro-Trump stance. Even before Trump declared his re-election bid, she expressed support within the Republican Party, stating that "we must unite around the most popular candidate." On the 11th, Trump nominated Stefanik as U.S. Ambassador to the UN, describing her as "an incredibly excellent ambassador who will bring peace through strength and America First national security policies."
Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator
President-elect Trump chose former Congressman Lee Zeldin as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator to overturn President Joe Biden's environmental policies. Trump introduced Zeldin as "a true champion of America First policies," emphasizing that "through fair and swift deregulation, he will unleash the power of American businesses while maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on Earth." Zeldin, from New York, actively opposed the certification of Biden's election victory during the January 6, 2021 joint session of Congress and has supported Trump's claims of election fraud. After losing the 2022 New York gubernatorial race to Democrat Kathy Hochul, he spent the year supporting Trump's campaign activities at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. On the day of his nomination, in an interview with Fox News, he said, "During the first 100 days (after inauguration), I will repeal regulations that burden businesses and reduce costs," adding, "There are regulations championed by the left that ultimately lead businesses in the wrong direction."
Mike Waltz, White House National Security Advisor
Mike Waltz, a politician and former Green Beret veteran, was appointed as White House National Security Advisor, a position directly nominated by the president. In a statement on the 12th, Trump said, "Mike has been a strong advocate of the 'America First' foreign policy agenda and will be a tremendous advocate for pursuing 'peace through strength.' He is an expert on China, Russia, Iran, and global terrorist threats." Waltz has publicly stated that the U.S. is "in a cold war with the Chinese Communist Party," demonstrating a strong anti-China stance. He has worked on the House China Task Force, introducing legislation to reduce U.S. dependence on China for critical minerals and to protect American academia from Chinese espionage. Days before the U.S. election, he published an article in The Economist arguing that the U.S. must end conflicts with Europe and the Middle East and confront the "greater threat" from China. The White House National Security Advisor is the top aide assisting the president in foreign and security affairs, coordinating all national security-related agencies, reporting to the president, and implementing policies.
Mike Huckabee, U.S. Ambassador to Israel
President-elect Trump, who has pursued an overtly pro-Israel policy, selected former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, a Christian conservative, as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, the key diplomatic channel for Middle East policy in the next administration. Huckabee served as Arkansas governor from 1996 to 2007. A Baptist minister and conservative, he enjoys strong support from American Christian fundamentalist groups. He has twice run in Republican primaries for president. He is also the father of Sarah Huckabee Sanders, former White House Press Secretary in the first Trump administration and current Arkansas governor. Shortly after his appointment, Huckabee appeared on Fox News on the night of the 12th (local time), stating, "It is time to completely reset our domestic and international relations," adding, "That is exactly what Trump intends to make clear." He assessed that the impact is already being felt across the Middle East even before Trump's inauguration and revealed a hardline hawkish stance toward adversaries such as Iran and China.
Steven Witkoff, Middle East Special Envoy
Trump appointed Steven Witkoff, a real estate mogul and known golf buddy, as Middle East Special Envoy. Witkoff, a New York-based real estate businessman, is a long-time friend of President-elect Trump. He co-chaired the joint inauguration committee and was with Trump during the second assassination attempt at a golf course in September. He also testified as a witness in Trump's lawsuits. Trump introduced him as "a respected leader in business and philanthropy," noting that "every project and community he has been involved with has become stronger and more prosperous." On the same day, former Governor Huckabee, nominated as U.S. Ambassador to Israel, also praised Witkoff, saying, "He knows the region well."
John Ratcliffe, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
President-elect Trump nominated former Director of National Intelligence (DNI) John Ratcliffe as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), introducing him as "a fighter who will fearlessly defend the highest levels of national security and 'peace through strength' while protecting the constitutional rights of all Americans." Ratcliffe currently serves as co-chair of the American Security Center under the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), a pro-Trump think tank. He is a prominent hawk who has labeled China as the "greatest national security threat" and has been vocal about China's military enhancement through artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology, warning of growing security concerns. He has also advocated for stronger pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons and supports a "maximum pressure" policy toward Iran.
Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense
The appointment of 40-year-old Fox News host Peter Hegseth as the next Secretary of Defense has been widely regarded as a bold move domestically. On the 12th, Trump selected Hegseth, weekend co-host of Fox News' "Fox & Friends," praising him as "tough, smart, and a true believer in America First." A former Army major, he served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and received medals. In 2012, he ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota. Since 2014, he has been with Fox News, where he apparently developed a close relationship with Trump. He is 44 years old. Trump said, "With Peter leading (the Department of Defense), America's enemies will be warned. Our military will be great again, and America will never back down," signaling a tough national security stance. Hegseth has also been a hawk, expressing concerns about China's expanding economic and military influence and calling for strong economic sanctions in his public appearances and writings.
Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security
Trump appointed South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security for the second-term administration. Noem was also considered one of the 'loyalists' mentioned as a potential running mate for Trump. However, she has faced criticism for lacking experience in national security. She gained notoriety during the COVID-19 pandemic for refusing to mandate mask-wearing. She also sparked controversy by admitting to shooting and killing her own dog. Additionally, she recounted meeting North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un in her memoir, though the North Korea desk officer at the U.S. National Intelligence Council (NIC) under the DNI stated they had no knowledge of such a meeting.
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, Heads of the Department of Government Efficiency
Elon Musk, Tesla CEO and the 'world's richest person,' who played a significant role in Trump's election victory, was appointed as head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), responsible for reforms in the next administration. Entrepreneur and pro-Trump politician Vivek Ramaswamy will co-lead DOGE alongside Musk. On the 12th, Trump announced these appointments, stating, "These two outstanding Americans will work together to dismantle bureaucracy in the U.S. government, eliminate excessive regulations, reduce wasteful spending, and restructure federal agencies." Shortly after, Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter) that to maximize transparency, all activities would be made public online, and he would create a 'leaderboard' ranking the most absurd and foolish uses of taxpayers' money. Trump likened the Department of Government Efficiency to the 'Manhattan Project' during World War II, when the U.S. secretly developed nuclear weapons for the first time in history, calling it "the core of the Save America movement." The new department, led by CEOs, aims to break bureaucracy and establish an entrepreneurial approach. Ramaswamy, who also leads the department, is a CEO who founded a biotechnology company. The Department of Government Efficiency will operate as an independent advisory committee, not a federal agency.
Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff and Homeland Security Advisor
News that Stephen Miller, former senior White House advisor who designed the illegal immigrant deportation plan, would be appointed Deputy Chief of Staff broke first on CNN on the 11th, shortly after the 'Border Czar' appointment. On the 13th, Trump announced Miller's return to the White House as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor. Miller was the architect of the large-scale illegal immigrant deportation pledge ahead of this election. He is expected to lead Trump's top priorities in the second-term administration, including closing the southern border and mass deportations of illegal residents.
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
On the 13th, President-elect Trump nominated Senator Marco Rubio of Florida as Secretary of State, effectively completing the national security appointments for the second-term administration. Rubio's selection had been reported earlier by outlets such as The New York Times (NYT). Trump expressed confidence, saying, "(Rubio) will be a strong advocate for our country, a true friend to our allies, and a fearless warrior who will never back down from our enemies." Rubio, a pro-Trump diplomat, is a leading anti-China hawk who has served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He has consistently been involved in various U.S. congressional efforts to impose sanctions on China and has been on the Chinese government's entry ban list since 2020. Rubio was also on Trump's list of potential running mates. As the son of Cuban immigrants, if confirmed by the Senate, he would become the first Latin American Secretary of State.
Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence
Former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard was selected as Director of National Intelligence (DNI), overseeing U.S. intelligence agencies in the next administration. The DNI directs not only the DNI office but also 18 intelligence agencies, including the CIA, FBI, and Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). Gabbard, the first Samoan-American member of Congress, was elected to the Hawaii State Legislature at age 21 in 2000 as the youngest female legislator. She joined the Army National Guard in 2003 and currently serves as a reserve lieutenant colonel in Oklahoma. Originally a Democrat, she left the party in 2022 due to policy disagreements, later becoming an independent before joining the Republican Party in 2024. Trump praised her, saying, "Tulsi has fought for our country and the freedom of all Americans for over 20 years," and noted that "as someone who ran in the Democratic presidential primaries, she has broad support across both parties."
Matt Gaetz, Attorney General
When President-elect Trump nominated Congressman Matt Gaetz as Attorney General for the second term on the 13th, concerns arose even within the Republican Party. Gaetz, a core member of the hardline conservative 'Freedom Caucus,' is a pro-Trump figure and far-right politician who champions America First ideology. In 2020, he participated in protests with the far-right group Proud Boys to overturn the election results. Gaetz has been a loyalist to Trump amid ongoing 'judicial risks.' However, he has faced criticism from both Democrats and Republicans for allegations including underage sex trafficking and drunk driving, questioning his suitability as Attorney General. The Attorney General oversees the FBI and federal prosecutors and typically requires high political neutrality and morality. By appointing loyalist Gaetz to this position, it is expected that Trump will launch extensive retaliation against political opponents and aggressively target the Department of Justice, which prosecuted him.
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